Analysis: Facebook can't take Asian growth for granted

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Even as Facebook fever grips investors ahead of the social networking giant's potential $100 billion-plus initial public offering, its breakneck growth in Asia may be slowing as it moves beyond desktop users to those who access the Internet largely or solely from a mobile phone.

No respite for HP, Dell in Windows 8: BMO

(Reuters) - Microsoft's long-awaited launch of the Windows 8 OS may not change the fortunes of PC makers, BMO analysts said, lowering their price targets on the stocks of Hewlett-Packard Co and Dell Inc.

Several brokerages stop taking Facebook IPO orders

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors who want Facebook Inc shares when the No. 1 online social network goes public later this week may have lost the opportunity. TD Ameritrade and Fidelity's brokerage arm both stopped accepting orders of Facebook shares as of Tuesday evening, according to representatives for each of the companies.

Wi-Lan says court rules in its favor in patent case

(Reuters) - Patent licensing company Wi-Lan Inc said a U.S. judge had ruled in its favor in a patent infringement claim related to handset products and high-speed packet access base stations.

Samsung not seen quaking in boots over Apple-Elpida report

SEOUL (Reuters) - Apple Inc will struggle to cut its reliance on rival Samsung Electronics for component supplies, analysts and industry sources said on Thursday, despite speculation that it has begun reducing its use of Samsung memory chips.

Pinterest funding could value startup at $1.5 billion

(Reuters) - Social networking site Pinterest has raised $100 million from a group of investors led by Japanese online retailing giant Rakuten Inc in a deal that reportedly values the three-year-old U.S. company at $1.5 billion.

Ad execs say jury still out on Facebook as medium

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - General Motors Inc's decision to stop advertising on Facebook may be a wake-up call for the No. 1 social network, but Top advertising executives say it's far too early to know if the site will take off as an advertising platform.

Kochs help Republicans catch up on technology

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - In the 2008 presidential race, Barack Obama was famously effective in using new technologies to raise money, mobilize voters and target his message of change.

Toshiba plans to double operating profit by 2014-15

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Toshiba Corp said on Thursday it aims to more than double its annual operating profit in three years to $5.6 billion, by expanding its social infrastructure business and boosting sales of electronics devices.

Apple readies iPhone with bigger screen: sources

TOKYO (Reuters) - Apple Inc plans to use a larger screen on the next-generation iPhone and has begun to place orders for the new displays from suppliers in South Korea and Japan, people familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.